The correct functional layout of the kitchen is necessary for family members to achieve maximum efficient, safe and enjoyable use. When looking at the overall layout of the space, a kitchen’s basic functional design can be considered a work triangle.

Larry is currently working with Aging & Independence Services to help prepare for the upcoming Aging Summit on June 15. This year’s summit focuses on aging well in community and is one of many activities in support of the County’s quest to become a designated “Age-Friendly Community.”

“Good lighting can make the difference between seeing and not seeing for everyone, especially people of all ages with any form of vision impairment. It can make daily tasks much easier for everyone and provide a safer, accident-free home. Good lighting will benefit people of all ages and abilities, and make a positive difference in our lives.”

New series of articles will focus on accessible, energy-efficient homes.

All-ages friendly, universal design bathrooms can be visually appealing, safer. “Many homeowners would rank the bathroom as second to the kitchen in importance to their lifestyle. However, older people and those of all ages with disabilities, who are trying to maintain their independence, dignity, and self-esteem, will say that the most important room in the house to their quality of life is the universal design bathroom.”

There are currently over 54 million Americans with some form of permanent disability and many millions more who incur an unexpected injury resulting in some form of physical mobility impairment. When we are healthy, we take for granted the simple action of being able to easily step up and over objects like climbing stairs, or taking a bath...

This is not a political issue. It is not about the rights or wrongs of America’s involvement in wars and conflicts. It is about helping our sons and daughters who have come back tattered and torn, regain their independence, self sufficiency, and self respect.

Creating a Smart Livable Home begins on the outside. By creating wide, obstacle-free areas surrounding the home, homeowners can help reduce perils for themselves, their families and also for visitors who might stop by....

When going about daily life in our homes, falling down is not often top of mind. But in reality, a home can be a dangerous place for both young and old. Worldwide, 37.3 million falls that occur annually are severe enough to require medical attention. While younger, more agile people may bounce back from injuries in such falls, it is adults age 65 and older who also have to worry about morbidity due to falls.
The statistics can be alarming, but there are several ways to make a home safer, and, in turn, reduce the risk for falls...

Design features and details can be incorporated into new and existing living environments to help successfully overcome obstacles to independence...

The goal of the series Livable San Diego, which will run on the second and fourth Saturday of each month in the Home & Garden section, will be to provide helpful information about how to make life more comfortable and livable, by featuring practical improvements to your home, health and overall wellbeing...

A glossary of terms to better understand what constitutes a "Livable" home and community.

New homes can be built and existing ones modified in ways that will help those of us with disabilities achieve maximum independence. An accessible, energy-smart home helps maximize successful independent living for all its occupants.

Good lighting will benefit people of all ages and levels of ability, and make a positive difference in our lives. It can make daily living tasks and activities in our homes much easier to perform for everyone, and provide a safer, accident-free living environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that levels of indoor air pollution are conservatively often three to eight times higher (and often substantially more) than outside air.

Harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the new carpeting, plastics and other materials can make people with SCI/D susceptible to harmful health effects.

As the traditional incandescent bulb fades away, new energy-efficient options are quickly taking over—and may eventually change the way we light our homes.

When I first started my successful design/build business 40+ years ago, a wise old timer in the industry told me to learn how to become a remodeling “specialist”. He told me to find a real need, and fill it! Following his words of wisdom helped me to consistently succeed for over four decades in both the best of times...and the worst of times...

Personal happiness and independence are deeply affected by our ability to perform everyday living tasks and activities...especially within our own homes! Even for perfectly healthy individuals, our ability to successfully accomplish tasks in the home, such as cooking and bathing efficiently and safely, is sometimes seriously impeded by the way most homes have been designed and built through the years...

Kitchens are the most used room in the house and often have the most barriers to independence.

It is important to design and build a bathroom to reflect the precise needs and preferences of users with disabilities.

There are over 80 million age 50+ boomers and many million more older adults in America! It is safe to say that most all of them are very familiar with traditional “on- site”or stick-built home building. It is also safe to say that the majority of them have little or no understanding about the advantages of buying factory-built homes over traditional site-built homes.

All you need to do is convince them! "You" are the manufactured and modular home builders. "They" are close to 80 million boomers and their parents.

While many of the boomers currently have no mobility problems, they are concerned about the future and how health issues will affect their living arrangements...

One of the barriers to adopting universal design has been the institutional appearance of some of the products such as bathroom and kitchen fixtures. (Featuring Laurence Weinstein)

Transcripts for Laurence Weinstein's address to the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century